Anti-gay marriage protesters rally in Paris

PARIS (AFP) - Thousands of Catholics and other opponents of French government plans to legalise gay marriage and same-sex adoption marched in Paris on Sunday, a day after more than 100,000 turned out across France for the cause.

The rally, organised by conservative Catholic group Civitas, was marred by accusations that protesters had roughed up journalists and topless counter-protesters partially dressed as nuns.

Police said some 9,000 people had joined the protest, rallying behind slogans such as one large banner reading: "France needs children, not homosexuals." Civitas official Alain Escada said gay marriage was "a Pandora's box" that would let others demand extended marriage rights, including polygamists and incestuous people.

"Our objective is to wage a real battle to protect the family and child," said Mr Escada, whose group claims 1,200 members and a network of some 100,000 supporters.